"Arise!" By Siobhán Brennan
The cry of many campaigns and conquests The cry of noble and ignoble cause alike. Never so pivotal though as when quietly prayed on a remote hillside in Slemish, County Antrim some 1600 years ago. Poor Patrick, a captive boy, probably terrified and disorientated, called out from his heart to his God, "I arise today" and the rest is still breathing, still palpable, still crucially relevant, history.
It is literally His Story: God's story and how He used one person's "I arise" , to change the course of history; to intervene so powerfully that druidic paganism was penetrated with a fire so fierce , so convincingly true that it overarched all others
"I arose as many as one hundred times at night to pray" Patrick tells us in his famous confessions. From that intimate union with God in the dark reaches of the night and in the darkness of his own personal problems, a revolution was born. Christianity spread like wildfire across Ireland and, largely from Ireland, across the world.
On 17th March this year a group of Christians will once again "arise!"
For the fourth year running, friends and strangers from all walks of life and from different traditions will gather as one to honour Saint Patrick's legacy. Praying together around Saint Patrick's grave in Downpatrick, County Down - historically recognised as our great saint's last earthly resting place - this modest group of believers strive to make a big spiritual impact.
Extracts from The Lorica, also known as Saint Patrick's breastplate, will be recited in chorus, between ten sets of ten Our Father's- one hundred in total - to commemorate Patrick's arising "one hundred times". The words of the Lorica are ancient, strong and Saint Patrick's own. They serve as a powerful protection against evil; a protection which is greatly needed today, arguably more so even than when the Saint himself roamed our lands.
Each year as our little gathering has grown, The Lord's holy presence has grown too - increasingly palpable. Standing shoulder to shoulder with other believers, in the darkness of a crisp, early, Irish spring morning, while reverently repeating, almost chanting like the monks of old, The Our Father/ The Lord's prayer, is a profoundly moving spiritual experience
Dana's, "Light The Fire - Saint Patrick's Song" is fittingly played at 5:45 am as blessed candles are lit.
Ireland's songster's inspiring lyrics are perfect given the setting. As morning breaks and a closing hymn is sung, the dawn chorus joins in, The light by now, in a richly symbolic way, has vanquished the darkness. Nature unites in praising The Lord. Our little candles are no longer needed as the sun takes over. The promise of resurrection is everywhere. Against the backdrop of Down Cathedral and overlooking Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, real hope arises that some day soon we will all be fully united in Our shared Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5
This year we want to extend the call to , “Arise” like Saint Patrick to groups across the country and across the world. Come unite with us spiritually in this simple offering of prayer from wherever you are. The format is straightforward and available by emailing: legacyofsaintpatrick@gmail.com
What a tribute the spread of these Saint Patrick's Dawn Prayer Gatherings would be to our great Saint Patrick, to the Irish missionaries and to the faithful throughout the world who form part of his Patrician family!
Why not spread the word to family and friends abroad?
As Dana sings “Light the flame in our hearts once again” we can all become an important living part of Patrick's legacy, letting our own flame be lit and letting God fan it into an unstoppable fire of His Love.
Hail Glorious Saint Patrick, dear Saint of our isle, on us thy poor children bestow your sweet smile!
